Teen dead after brawl in Ballarat

Deborah Gough

A 35-year-old Ballarat man has been charged with murder following the death of a boy early on Saturday morning.

Darren Wilson was one of three people arrested and interviewed by police.

Timothy O’Brien, 14, died and his stepfather was injured in an attack at Carlyle Street in rural Scarsdale this morning.

Details are sketchy about the circumstances of the boy’s death, but police say two girls, aged 17 and 19, and another boy aged 16, were at the house when one of the girls received a threatening, whispering phone call.

The girls became scared and left to get help from the dead boy’s stepfather, aged 45. The boy went with them back to the house.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Solomon said when they got back to the Scarsdale house there were two or three men at the house who were allegedly armed with a blunt, heavy weapon. Police would not confirm whether it was a baseball bat.

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He said the boy was severely injured, possibly by a blow to the head, while the stepfather had severe facial injuries.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Solomon said one of the girls ran terrified from the house, and called police from a nearby paddock.

He could not confirm whether the dead boy was local but said he appeared to be a bystander.

"He (the step father) is extremely traumatised and assisting us to the best of his ability and I would say he has a long, long road of heartache ahead of him," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Solomon said.

Wilson was remainded in custody to appear at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Monday.

A man and a woman are still assisting the homicide squad with their investigation.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au.